Hours after Ohio prison officials called off the execution of Alva Campbell Jr., due to being unable to locate a suitable vein for the lethal injection, Governor John Kasich has announced that Alva has been given a new execution date of June 5, 2019.

Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2017 11:45 am EST

Ohio prison officials have announced that the execution of Alva Campbell Jr., has been called off after they were unable to locate a suitable vein for the lethal injection. Attempts were made on both arms and legs. His execution has been delayed indefinitely. Alva is the second inmate in Ohio's recent history to have his execution called off due to being unable to find a suitable vein. Romell Broom's execution was called of in 2009, for the same the reason. In March 2016, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Ohio could attempt to execute Romell again. Therefore, it stands to reason, that Ohio could also again attempt to execute Alva.

Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2017 10:28 am EST

It has been announced that there will be a slight delay in the execution of Alva Campbell. Staff is taking their time locating a vein to place the IV.

Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2017 9:52 am EST

The Supreme Court of the United States has refused to halt the execution of Alva Campbell, Jr. Previously, the governor had denied clemency. Alva will be allowed to lie on a special, wedge shaped pillow during the execution to assist with his breathing.

Updated: Monday, November 13, 2017 10:24 am EST

Alva E. Campbell, Jr. is scheduled to be executed at 10 am EST, on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Mansfield, Ohio. Sixty-nine-year-old Alva is convicted of murdering of 18-year-old Charles Dials, while attempting to flee from police custody on April 2, 1997. Alva has spent the last 17 years on Ohio's death row.

Alva alleges he was raised in an “abusive, loveless, amore, and unstable environment,” along with his five siblings. His parents drank excessively, especially on the weekends, which led to violent physical and verbal altercations. His father encouraged him to steal, offering praise when he did so without getting caught. His father was eventually arrested, however his mother was not any better of a parent and he rarely attended school. At the age of 11, he was removed from his mother’s care. Alva did not have a stable environment, often fleeing from wherever he was placed. He was also placed in multiple juvenile detention centers for a variety of crimes.

At the age of 19, Alva Campbell was first sent to prison for shooting, with intent to kill, a state trooper. He was released in 1971. In 1972, Campbell was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled 20 years later. Approximately five years later, in 1997, Campbell was again arrested, this time for charges of aggravated robbery.

On April 2, 1977, Campbell, who was confined to a wheelchair after feigning paralysis, was being driven by Deputy Sheriff Tersa Harrison to his arraignment. As she was attempting to help Campbell out of the vehicle, he assaulted her, stealing her pistol and fleeing the scene.

Charles Dials, who just finished paying a ticket and was driving away, stopped when Campbell ran out in front of his pickup truck. Campbell pulled open the driver’s door, telling Charles to move over and that he did not want to hurt him. Charles complied and Campbell drove off with Charles.

Campbell eventually pulled into a side street, stole Charles’ money and forced Charles to swap clothes. Campbell then drove to a K-Mart parking lot, after purchasing alcohol. According to his confession, Campbell and Charles sat talking for several hours. They eventually heard a radio report about an escaped prisoner in a truck. Charles asked Campbell if he was the man the radio was talking about. Campbell confessed and they talked a while longer.

Campbell then drove to the back of the store, where he parked and told Charles to lie on the floor of the truck. After Charles complied, Campbell shot him twice before returning to the main parking lot. When Katie Workman parked near the truck, Campbell attempted to kidnap her. Katie escaped, losing her wallet and car keys.

Campbell drove her vehicle to another shopping center and attempted to kidnap James Gilliam. James also escaped but managed to keep his keys. Campbell was spotted a short time later by the police. He drove away, and then attempted to flee on foot before hiding in a tree. He surrendered when he was discovered and gave a video-taped confession. Campbell was convicted on four counts of aggravated murder and sentenced to death.

The 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a request by Alva Campbell to halt his execution. Alva and his attorneys argued that they should be allowed to raise new appeals of Ohio's lethal injection protocol based on recent changes as to how it is carried out. Alva also alleges that his execution would cause undue pain and suffering because of numerous physical ailments. Ultimately, the court rejected his claims with a 2-1 vote.

Ohio Governor John Kasich has announced that he will not grant clemency to death row inmate Alva. In his clemency request, Alva argued his bad childhood and current health problems as reasons for granting clemency. The governor did not explain why he refused to grant clemency. His decision followed the recommendation of the parole board.

During an evaluation to prepare for the execution, it was determined that Alva became mildly agitated when placed in the normal execution position. The doctor observing the evaluation could find nothing physical to corroborate Alva’s anxiety, however, due to underlying breathing problems from smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, the doctor agreed that it would be appropriate to allow Alva to be executed in a semi-recumbent position. The doctor was also unable to locate suitable veins in Alva’s arms to use during the execution. Alva’s attorney is worried that his client will be subjected to repeated stabbing with a needle during the preparation for execution. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has said it has been advised of the possible problems during the execution and are “planning possible accommodations.” In response to the evaluation, Alva's attorneys have requested that Ohio lawmakers quickly pass a bill allowing Alva to be executed by firing squad, citing the potential difficulties that would occur with attempting to use lethal injection. Federal Judge Michael Merz has rejected the argument and the argument that Alva would face undo pain and suffering during the execution.

Alva has had several previous execution dates. All have been delayed due to ongoing challenges and appeal regarding Ohio’s execution protocol, which stemmed from the controversial execution of Dennis McGuire in 2014. Read more information here. Executions resumed in Ohio on July 26, 2017, with the execution of Ronald Phillips. There were no reported complications during the execution. Following that execution, Ohio Governor John Kasich rescheduled multiple executions, spacing them out approximately six weeks apart to ensure that each execution is carried out “in a humane and professional manner.”

Please pray for peace and healing for the family of Charles Dials and the others who were harmed by Alva’s crimes. Please pray for strength for the family of Alva. Please pray that if Alva is innocent, lacks the mental competency to be executed, or should not be executed for any other reason, evidence will be presented prior to his execution. Please pray that Alva may come to find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, if he has not already found one.